This first round of the 2017 JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship will get underway this weekend at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore and there's plenty to watch out for this season.

Now in its 20th season, the JKNRC has two main popular categories of open-wheel racing - Euro JK 17 and the LGB4. This year, the Euro JK 17 category has two accomplished international racers competing as well - Paolo Ippolito from Italy and Ricky Capo from Australia. The 21-year old Aussie will be particularly threatening for the local talent as he's also won in the European Le Mans Series in Monza. The defending champion, Anindith Reddy (in pic), has his work cut out for him in the packed grid of FB02 formula cars.

There'll be plenty of eyes on one of the debutants as well in the Euro JK 17 races - Mira Erda, the first female driver in this category. Meanwhile, the LGB4 category has 18 drivers in the roster, which includes two Sri Lankan racers.

A new bike racing category joins the JKNRC this year with the latest edition of the Suzuki Gixxer Cup. This category is populated by 30 riders competing on identically specced race-ready Suzuki Gixxer SF motorcycles. But there's more to this bike series as the Gixxer Cup also provides an opportunity to 15 riders, aged between 12 and 16 to earn a ticket to participate in the Red Bull Rookie Cup, a feeder series to MotoGP.

This should be an interesting 20th season of the National Racing Championship and has the potential for some exciting races. Stay tuned for updates from the first round in Coimbatore.